Two Students from Ontario Place Second Among 10,000 Entries in Genworth Canada's 10th Annual Meaning of Home Contest in Support of Habitat for Humanity Canada

TORONTO, March 9, 2017 /CNW/ - Ten year old River Doherty of St. Andrews West, Ontario, and 11 year old Trinity Campbell of Penetanguishene, Ontario were selected as runners-up from among 10,000 entries in the Genworth Canada 10th Annual Meaning of Home Contest, in support of Habitat for Humanity Canada. As two of the 10 second place winners of the contest, River and Trinity will award $5,000 each to help families in need of safe, decent housing build homes in Ontario. The first place prize was awarded to Bensen Wilmer of Victoria, British Columbia who has chosen Habitat for Humanity Iqaluit to be the beneficiary of a $50,000 grant to help make a difference in Indigenous communities.

"It's extremely rewarding to see the record number of students from coast to coast who participated in our 10th Anniversary of the Meaning of Home contest. We are proud of this campaign which has helped to increase awareness about the need for affordable homeownership in Canada," said Stuart Levings, President and CEO, Genworth Canada.

Students in grades 4, 5 and 6 were asked "What is the Meaning of Home?" River Doherty of St. Andrews West, Ontario wrote a poem about feeling free to be herself, "Home is a place to be free, in my home I am free to be me…"

Trinity Campbell of Penetanguishene, Ontario wrote a poem about home being a place where she can be comfortable, "Home is a place you can feel comfortable, cooking breakfast for your parents in the morning…." River will direct her $5,000 grant to Habitat Seaway Valley and Trinity will direct her grant to Habitat South Georgian Bay. Both students will enjoy a pizza party with their classmates as part of the award recognition.

"We're tremendously thankful for Genworth Canada's continued support of Habitat Canada and the families we serve," said Mark Rodgers, President and CEO, Habitat Canada. "Since 2000, Genworth Canada and its employees have generously contributed nearly $4 million and countless volunteer hours working alongside Habitat future homeowners to build strength, stability, and independence through affordable homeownership. Thanks to this partnership and the Genworth Meaning of Home Contest, we've been able to educate the next generation of Canadians on how important it is to have a safe and decent home."

As part of the 10th Anniversary, Genworth Canada's Meaning of Home Contest also included a donation of $10 per entry to Habitats across the country and 10 grants of $5,000 each to be directed to a local Habitat of their choosing. The other runners-up across Canada included:

Students were also invited to submit videos describing what home means to them for a chance to win additional prizes. View the winning video from a grade six class from Oakville, Ontario at www.youtube.com/meaningofhome

Genworth MI Canada Inc. (TSX: MIC) through its subsidiary, Genworth Financial Mortgage Insurance Company Canada (Genworth Canada), is the largest private residential mortgage insurer in Canada. The Company provides mortgage default insurance to Canadian residential mortgage lenders, making homeownership more accessible to first-time homebuyers. Genworth Canada differentiates itself through customer service excellence, innovative processing technology and a robust risk management framework. For more than two decades, Genworth Canada has supported the housing market by providing thought leadership and a focus on the safety and soundness of the mortgage finance system. As at December 31, 2016, Genworth Canada had $6.6 billion total assets and $3.6 billion total shareholders' equity. Find out more at www.genworth.ca.

About Habitat for Humanity Canada

Founded in 1985, Habitat for Humanity Canada is a national, non-profit organization working toward a world where everyone has a decent and affordable place to call home. Habitat for Humanity brings communities together to help families build strength, stability and independence through affordable homeownership. With the help of volunteers, Habitat homeowners and 56 local Habitats working in every province and territory, we provide a solid foundation for better, healthier lives in Canada and around the world. Habitat for Humanity Canada is a member of Habitat for Humanity International, which was established in 1976 and has grown to become a leading global nonprofit working in more than 70 countries. For more information, please visit www.habitat.ca.